Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 56742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Screw it. I click send.
Staring at the screen, I wait, but a red exclamation mark appears. A “Message failed to send” notification appears on my screen. I’m not a superstitious man, but maybe that’s a sign.
Deleting the message, I stand, roll my neck from side to side, and swing my arms a little. There’s a lot of work to do.
CHAPTER 25
Scarlet
I wake with sunlight across my face and to the sound of Mom vomiting. It’s a weird contrast. Sitting up, I see Mom hunched over a small bin across the room. She looks up, her mouth aimed down, her eyes glinting apologetically.
“I’ll get you some water,” I say.
“Thank you,” she replies wheezily.
As I walk through the apartment—smaller than the other one but just as expensive—I’m shocked to find a spring in my step. After everything that’s happened, I should try to take this a little more seriously. I should probably be shell-shocked about Dad still. Yet all I can think about is the texts Elio and I sent each other last night, the heat, the closeness, the destiny.
Returning with the water, I place it on the side table and tenderly touch Mom’s shoulder. “Have you taken your pills, the ones that will help with the withdrawals?”
She nods, shaking. “It’s still going to be tough. The doctor warned me about that. I just want to sleep.”
“Let’s make a deal. Eat something, drink some water, then you can rest some more, yeah?”
She takes my hand, smiling with such sadness that I feel my heart trying to break down the middle. It’s a sad smile, but it also has some pride. It’s like she’s the kid, and I’m the grownup. “Okay, Scarlet. Thank you for being so strong.”
“It’s not as hard as you think,” I murmur.
She laughs shakily. “Maybe not for you.”
“No, I think it would be, but I’ve found Elio. He’s helping me to be strong.”
“You’ve… found him?” she says.
I swallow and nod. This is one thing I didn’t take into account—her reaction. “We’re going to be together long term, Mom,” I say, deciding to keep the explanation simple for now. All the destiny and children talk might be too much for her.
Mom would probably have more of a reaction if she didn’t feel like every inch of her body was burning intensely. Instead, a spaced-out smile spreads across her face. “After everything, you look happy. How is that possible?”
Love. That’s my instinctual answer. However, that message not being sent has messed with my head, as crazy as that seems. Yet when everything seems crazy, is it fair to pick out one note of madness?
“I don’t know,” I say. “What do you want? Some toast?”
“Sure,” she replies. “Just one slice.”
I return to the kitchen and quickly make the toast. Then I have a shower, leave Mom resting in bed, and go to make myself some breakfast. As I put my bread in the toaster, Alessia enters, wearing a dark dress, her eyes downcast with heavy makeup. She looks like she’s barely slept.
“Good morning, Mrs. Marino,” I say.
Her expression is just as sad as Mom’s. It’s like she’s grateful to me for even addressing her. She acts as though I will call her names, push her away, or insult her. “Yes, hello, Scarlet.”
“How are you feeling?” I ask.
“How am I feeling?” she repeats, shaking her head as she sits at the kitchen bar. “I hardly think that’s the right question. How my husband feels is more to the point, isn’t it? I wonder if he even knows what’s going on. Oh, goodness gracious.”
“What is it, Mrs.—”
“Alessia, please,” she says tightly.
My toast pops, almost making me jump. It feels like there’s way too much tension in the room. “Is something wrong?”
“Not wrong. Not right. It just feels like a relief not to have to pretend anymore. Pretend he was speaking. Pretend I knew what I was doing. Oh, I’ve ruined everything.”
She starts to cry, hunching over. Despite what she did, I can’t just stand here and watch. Walking around the bar, I place my hand on her shoulder. It’s just like in the dining room last night. She turns and presses her face against me.
“You’re so strong,” she says after a minute or two of heart-wrenching sobbing. “Such a resilient young woman.”
“I don’t know about that,” I say. “I try my best. It’s all we can do, right?”
“But you judge me for cheating.”
I hesitate. She leans back, staring firmly up at me. “If you’re going to be my daughter-in-law one day, get used to being honest.”
“Uh… Mrs.… Alessia… I’m not sure…”
“Oh, please,” she says, dabbing at her cheeks. “If I know one thing, it’s my family. I’ve never seen Elio look at anybody the way he looks at you. I tried. His father and I tried. We wanted grandchildren. We wanted our son to find love, but he’s always been obsessed with his work. Then you came along. You changed everything. I can see it. When he looks at you, it’s like how Leo used to… used to…”